"The African development story has long been defined by investment in the vast mineral wealth on the continent, leaving our creative industries to fend for themselves on the fringes of economic development for far too long. As a result, the film and television industry had not developed at the same rate as other industries on the continent, albeit not for a lack of talent, passion or imagination,” said Brand De Villiers, CEO of MultiChoice Africa.

“We are abundantly blessed in these areas, however, the space given for this expression has at best been limited and at worst, been relegated to the fringes of the mainstream economy, leaving in its wake, unfulfilled dreams, unexplored talent and unwritten stories. As an African business, MultiChoice, together with our valued partners and stakeholders across the continent, have collaborated to make a positive socio-economic impact in the communities in which we live and work through the MultiChoice Talent Factory initiative.”

For over two decades, MultiChoice has been committed to investing in the development of original African programming and showcasing it on DStv across 49 sub-Saharan African countries. The launch of MTF forms part of the company’s new strategy of furthering this investment through creating shared value by using its core business resources, people, skills and networks to affect a positive change in society that yields benefits for the business and society.

The MTF initiative will deliver three touchpoints that launch throughout the year, the MTF Academies, MTF Masterclasses and the MTF Portal. The first to launch will be the MTF Academy, a 12-month educational programme aimed at furnishing 60 deserving, young, talented people who want to work and innovate in film and television production.

The MTF Academy students will be provided with skillsets to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories through a comprehensive curriculum comprising theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling. The programme will take place at three regional MTF Academies based in Kenya for East Africa, Nigeria for West Africa and Zambia for South African countries and will be overseen by acclaimed local film and TV industry experts, Academy Directors: Ms Njoki Muhoho in the Eastern Hub; Mr Femi Odugbemi in the Western Hub and Mr Berry Lwando in the Southern Hub.

“Filmmaking knowledge and skills that translate into enhanced livelihood, is what our youth in the creative industry desire,” said Muhoho, MTF Academy Director for East Africa. She added: “The MultiChoice Talent Factory is a response to this outcry. MTF is a 12-month long filmmaking bootcamp where the student will be taken on an experiential and practical film-making journey that will result in a highly competent graduate, that is passionate, employable and an entrepreneurial filmmaker. My role is to be a catalyst to this process.”

“I am truly delighted to be a part of this great African renaissance, one that will not only tap into Africa’s talent but grow talent by upskilling our youth so that they can grow our creative industries.” said Lwando, MTF Academy Director for Southern Africa. Lwando continued to say; “This is part of a game changing-era in which creative and productive skills will be developed to enable local content be produced and compete with the best across any genre. For Southern Africa, the MultiChoice Talent Factory answers the questions of training and advancement in film production we have asked for a long time and provides us the local content solution we have desired. Nothing can be more rewarding to our creative industries.”

MTF Academy Director for West Africa, Femi Odugbemi commented that; “Professional training is key to success in any occupation. We need interventions like the MTF so that emerging filmmakers are better equipped in the creative processes that has scholarship and technology at its foundation. “We must consciously build capacity so that our next-generation filmmakers and producers can also create wealth and create employment by being entrepreneurs as well."

During the course of the programme, MTF Academy students will produce television and film content that will be aired on our local M-Net channels across the MultiChoice platform including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, M-Net and SuperSport to reach African audiences on DStv. Upon graduation from the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy, the MTF student will leave the Academy with the knowledge and skills to contribute professionally to the film and television industry.

CALL FOR ENTRY OPEN:

MultiChoice is calling all aspiring young film and TV creatives to apply for the MTF Academy from Wednesday, 30 May 2018, on the webiste: www.multichoicetalentfactory.com. The call for entry will close on Thursday, 5 July. The 60 post-school MTF students (20 for each region) – will be selected from *13 African countries where MultiChoice operates -will have an exciting opportunity to hone their television and film production skills in the company of industry experts during the year-long programme that will begin on 01 October 2018.

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